Rössing victory for Armas, Kauanivi

Leandrea Louw



Alina Armas and Mynhardt Kauanivi were the overall winners of the 29th edition of the Rössing Uranium Marathon that took place over the weekend at Swakopmund.

Mynhardt completed the 42km race in a time of 02:20:58, while Armas completed it in 02:41:02.

This was the second win for Mynhardt, who won the race in 2014. “It's great to be the winner of this race again. I've been training very hard and have been prepared for the marathon since December. I decided I will run my own race on my own pace.” Next up for him is the half marathon hosted by Sanlam on Independence Day as well as a marathon in Botswana. His ultimate goal is to qualify for the Olympics.

Armas, on the other hand, has pocketed the win five times now, scooping top honours in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016 (alongside her husband Reonard Namupala).

“I'm very happy and it feels fantastic to be once again the winner. I really enjoyed the race, although I feel that at the turning point, more could be done to ensure the safety of the runners, especially with the cars coming up from behind us.”

She is now looking for a race to better her time to see whether she can qualify for Tokyo 2020. Her personal best is 02:33:09.

During the keynote address, Zhang Yiming, the Chinese ambassador to Namibia, invited the runners to compete in Chinese marathons.

“Since its inception in 1981 in China, more and more sports fans are participating in marathon running. Kenyan runner Mosses Mosop, while running in China achieved a record-breaking time of 02:06:19, which is up to now the best marathon record in China. I welcome all sport fans to China to come and break this record.”

This year, there were 700 entries, but only 609 crossed the finish line. Participants could choose from the 42, 21, 10km race and a 10km relay for uranium companies in the region. A 5km fun walk was also hosted as a fundraiser for the Cancer Association of Namibia.

The overall results for the marathon are as follows:



Male 42km:

1. Mynhardt Kaunivi (02:20:58)

2. Simon Shipanga (02:22:15)

3. Pedro Mendoza (02:28:11)

4. Matheus Kadhingula (02:31:16)



Female 42km:

1. Alina Armas (02:41:02)

2. Anna Amutokjo (02:44:21)

3. Leena Ekandjo (02:56:53)

4. Risa Dreyer (02:58:12)



Male 21km:

1. Tomas Hilifa Rainhold (01:00:05)

2. Kefas Kondjashili (01:00:21)

3. Geson Koper (01:03:59)



Female 21km:

1. Lavinia Haitope (01:12:48)

2. Chitoshi Felistus (01:16:43)

3. Helena Iipinge (01:21:12)



Male 10km:

1. Daniel Paulus (30:01)

2. Jeremia Shaliasxwe (30:06)

3. Elia Uugwanga (30:39)



Female 10km:

1. Shiivomwene Shilongo (36:07)

2. Indileni Mweshamekange (36:56)

3. Christabel Kunda (41:14)